In a remarkable task, four teams of Rice University engineering students successfully converted a 1997 Chevy P30 delivery van into a fully electric vehicle within a year, using a mix of salvaged parts, custom components, and off-the-shelf items.With a group of more than 20 students contributing as part of their capstone design projects, an integral aspect of Rice's engineering curriculum, students embarked on this hands-on initiative to tackle real-world engineering challenges.
The Electric Vehicle Electronic Controls Design team, comprised of Kirubel Ghebreab, Nathan Hsiao, Eric Press, and Alois Chipfurutse, focused on crafting a robust electronic control system for seamless integration with vehicle components, grappling with the complexities of interfacing disparate parts from various vehicles.Dubbed Team Thermobile.